CHAI — the beloved Japanese quartet of identical twins MANA (vocals/keys) and KANA (guitar), plus drummer YUNA and bassist/lyricist YUUKI — present their new single/video, “GAME,” from their forthcoming self-titled album out this Friday, September 22nd on Sub Pop. CHAI — unlike previous albums — was written on the road, with the band finding time to record in the days between shows at Grand Street in New York, Ometusco Sound Machine in Mexico City, and Stones Throw Studio in LA, where “GAME” was recorded. Working in studios with vast collections of gear allowed them to experiment with aesthetics as-yet-unheard on a CHAI album. Case in point, CHAI recorded “GAME” with the sole intention of writing something listeners would recognize as new wave, riding a house synth line and minimalist production.
“GAME” might be the perfect distillation of CHAI’s ethic, as it urges listeners to keep moving through this life with joy and passion. Following an empowering trail of singles — the “Barbie-ready” (The FADER) “NEO KAWAII, K?,” the “breezy, groovy” (Stereogum) “PARA PARA,” plus the “fun, catchy” (Cool Hunting) “WE THE FEMALE!” — “GAME” continues CHAI’s streak of immediate, uplifting music. The accompanying “GAME” video is a tongue-in-cheek, ‘80s-indebted romp, directed by Cameron Lew.
Of the video, Lew adds: “CHAI blends chaos and positivity in the best way, and so I wanted to create a video that showcases exactly that. And what better way, then to show them frantically delivering their music, movements, and mindset directly to their fans. It was such a fun experience directing this video, the way the girls are in sync with one another is insane. Not your ordinary delivery service: Come along as the girls hand over packages that will take their fans (and some skeptical patrons) on a musical journey.”
Of “GAME,” MANA adds: “Winning isn’t the goal, it’s the strategizing and challenge that matters♡ So it doesn’t matter if you lose. Take that loss and turn it into an even better strategy! Life’s a game! We made the video with our lovely friend Ginger Root♡ It’s fun and NEO KAWAII♡ As long as you’re living, you can play the game as many times as you want. Be honest to your heart, don’t take it too seriously, and live life.”
Unlike their acclaimed 2021 album WINK, this self-titled collection of songs finds CHAI returning to their roots, drawing inspiration from their Japanese cultural heritage and the music that raised them. Realizing that message applied to people outside of fans in Japan (who screamed in delight when MANA shouted “NEO KAWAII!” into the mic) made CHAI consider what other facets of their upbringing might resonate with audiences outside of their home country. Each CHAI album borrows aesthetic inspiration from specific musical movements, and on CHAI, the quartet wanted to make direct comparisons to city pop, a Tokyo-born sound popularized in the ‘70s and ‘80s. City pop was a Japanese take on Western lounge music, borrowing from jazz, boogie, funk, and yacht rock to create a sound that straddled two cultures; but for CHAI, city pop was just the music of childhood.
Of the album, Mana says: “This is CHAI! The genre is CHAI! CHAI’S BEST CHAI POP! We declare to live as Japanese women♡ If this album gives everyone a little more confidence in living how they want to live, that is the right answer we have been looking for⭐ Listen, feel. You were all NEO KAWAII BABIES from the moment you were born. If you can’t catch up with us, you’ll never feel the NEO KAWAII♡ Are you ready for CHAI?? ⭐”
This Saturday, CHAI will begin their North American tour at Flipside Festival, followed by stops in Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington, DC and more. Full dates, including UK and EU shows, are listed below and tickets are on sale now.
Today, CHAI — the adored Japanese four-piece composed of identical twins MANA (vocals/keys) and KANA (guitar), drummer YUNA, and bassist/lyricist YUUKI — present their new single/video, “NEO KAWAII, K?,” from their forthcoming self-titled album out September 22nd on Sub Pop. Since the band’s inception in 2011, CHAI has espoused a philosophy they call Neo Kawaii, in reference to the Japanese word for cute, a label typically bestowed upon women who maintain societally prescribed beauty standards. As young women, CHAI felt that any deviation from what culture considered kawaii was discouraged, and so Neo Kawaii emerged as a rallying cry against those oppressive standards. “Neo Kawaii is about reclaiming self-esteem,” MANA says. On the ESG-inspired single “NEO KAWAII, K?” MANA sings: “This is just my body, not a trendy body/ Gonna be loved, baby!/ Just as I am.”
Of “NEO KAWAII, K?,” Mana continues: “Everyone is NEO KAWAII! This is CHAI’s answer, this is a fact in this world! We can finally say what it really means to us♡ Everyone’s a bit weird. Everyone’s different. Everyone’s awkward, almost to a point that it’s hard to relate. But that’s what’s interesting! That’s what makes it beautiful. To everyone who’s pushed around by these notions, we want to tell you this! We, and all of our lives, are NEO KAWAII! NEO KAWAII is not just plain KAWAII (cute)- it’s cool, it’s strong, it’s kind, it’s warm! Don’t get it mixed up♡ Hey! NEO KAWAII people!
NEO KAWAII needs no preparation. We just want to say that you’re NEO KAWAII too, K? ♡?”
CHAI — unlike previous albums — was written on the road, with the band finding time to record in the days between shows at Stones Throw Studio in LA, Ometusco Sound Machine in Mexico City, and Grand Street in New York. Working in studios with vast collections of gear allowed them to experiment with aesthetics as-yet-unheard on a CHAI album. “It was actually a chill and relaxed process, because we were playing shows every day and were really in the music,” MANA says.
Unlike their acclaimed 2021 album WINK, this self-titled collection of songs finds CHAI returning to their roots, drawing inspiration from their Japanese cultural heritage and the music that raised them. Realizing that message applied to people outside of fans in Japan (who screamed in delight when MANA shouted “NEO KAWAII!” into the mic) made CHAI consider what other facets of their upbringing might resonate with audiences outside of their home country. Each CHAI album borrows aesthetic inspiration from specific musical movements, and on CHAI, the quartet wanted to make direct comparisons to city pop, a Tokyo-born sound popularized in the ‘70s and ‘80s. City pop was a Japanese take on Western lounge music, borrowing from jazz, boogie, funk, and yacht rock to create a sound that straddled two cultures; but for CHAI, city pop was just the music of childhood.
Of the album, Mana says: “This is CHAI! With our self-titled album CHAI, CHAI declare that we live proudly as Japanese women♡ We hope this album gives everyone a little more confidence in living how they want to live. That is our ideal. If this album becomes that existence for anyone, that is the right answer in our eyes⭐ Listen, feel. We give you our evolution, inside and out! Now come onnn, NEO-KAWAII BABIES. If you can’t catch up with us, you’ll never feel the NEO KAWAII♡”
This fall, CHAI will bring their acclaimed live set stateside for a North American tour, beginning September 23rd at Flipside Festival and stretching through Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington, DC and more. Full dates, including UK and EU shows, are listed below and tickets are on sale now.
Today, CHAI announce their dazzling new, self-titled album out September 22nd on Sub Pop / Sony Music, announce a Fall US tour in support of the new record, and present the album’s lead single, “PARA PARA.” Unlike their acclaimed 2021 album WINK, this self-titled collection of songs finds CHAI returning to their roots, drawing inspiration from their Japanese cultural heritage and the music that raised them. “Everything reflected in the lyrics expresses our experience as Japanese women,” vocalist/keyboardist MANA says, explaining why they chose to self-title this album. CHAI’s ethos is one of inclusion, and the previously shared “We The Female!” — recorded live off the floor to honor the band’s riotous performances — is “energetic and bright” (Stereogum), beckoning all listeners into the mission.
On “PARA PARA,” CHAI memorialize the bafflingly popular two-step dance trend that overtook Japan in the 1990s. “There’s not a deep meaning to that song, it’s really just about the dance,” says Mana. “As long as you can feel the two-step, any dance is possible! Let your body just move to your dancing heart ♡ When your body moves to the beat of your heart, you’ll realize that the world is smaller than you think, and all your problems are easier than they seem. ‘Cause two-step and music is the best way to communicate in this world ♡ Let it START! CHAI’s two-step dance music ☆☆”
The accompanying “PARA PARA”video, directed by Jennifer Juniper Stadford, premieres tonight at 9pm ET and honors the past, present, and future of art-rock and J-pop. Drawing influence from Yellow Magic Orchestra, Talking Heads and Devo, the “PARA PARA” video creates a new, fresh world where CHAI’s neo-kawaii movement takes center stage and inspires a strong future for everyone.
CHAI cast a spell on the world in 2017 when they released their debut album, PINK, a collection of songs that introduced listeners to their singular brand of playful pop. The jubilant and enthusiastically feminist follow-up, PUNK, raked in accolades from the music press and fellow artists alike. That led to WINK, which CHAI made via remote Zoom sessions, a limitation that became a strength since it allowed the quartet — twin sisters MANA (lead vocals and keys) and KANA (guitar), YUNA (drums), and YUUKI (bassist-lyricist) — to collaborate with artists abroad. On WINK, CHAI looked beyond their immediate surroundings, and the confines of home, to create a work that found catharsis in their international community.
Each CHAI album borrows aesthetic inspiration from specific musical movements, and on CHAI, the quartet wanted to make direct comparisons to city pop, a Tokyo-born sound popularized in the ‘70s and ‘80s. City pop was a Japanese take on Western lounge music, borrowing from jazz, boogie, funk, and yacht rock to create a sound that straddled two cultures. Only recently has city pop become a pop culture phenomenon in the U.S. — thanks in part to TikTok and YouTube exhuming songs by artists like Tatsuro Yamashita — but for CHAI, city pop was just the music of childhood.
A nostalgic look backward was, in part, circumstantial. When pandemic restrictions were lifted, CHAI returned to the road, bringing their exuberant live show to new cities, where the experience of performing for enormous crowds in cities like Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo made them realize they had truly unlocked a global audience. Realizing that their messages applied to people outside of Japan made CHAI consider what other facets of their upbringing might resonate with audiences outside of their home country.
CHAI — unlike previous albums — was written on the road, with the band finding time to record in the days between shows at Stones Throw Studio in LA, Ometusco Sound Machine in Mexico City, and Grand Street in New York. Working in studios with vast collections of gear allowed them to experiment with aesthetics as-yet-unheard on a CHAI album. “It was actually a chill and relaxed process, because we were playing shows every day and were really in the music,” MANA says.
In writing sessions, the members of CHAI listed words immediately associated with Japan, resulting in songs with titles like “MATCHA” and “KARAOKE.” Some terms are less immediate, but no less authentic to the country’s cultural heritage. They tapped previous collaborator Ryu Takahashi to produce, who shared their love of city pop and eurobeat, as well as the melodies of J-pop artists like Maria Takeuchi, which also contributed to the CHAI moodboard. “They wanted to dig into their Japanese identity, not in a traditional sense, but in this filtered Western way,” Takahashi says.
CHAI highlight “GAME” might be the perfect distillation of CHAI’s ethic, though, as it urges listeners to keep moving through this life with joy and passion. Per MANA: “It’s not about winning or losing as competition, but about what you need to do, personally, to feel you’ve won.”
Of the album, Mana says: “This is CHAI! With our self-titled album CHAI, CHAI declare that we live proudly as Japanese women♡ We hope this album gives everyone a little more confidence in living how they want to live. That is our ideal. If this album becomes that existence for anyone, that is the right answer in our eyes⭐ Listen, feel We give you our evolution, inside and out! Now come onnn, NEO-KAWAII BABIES. If you can’t catch up with us, you’ll never feel the NEO KAWAII♡”
CHAI US TOUR DATES
Sat. Sept. 23 - Boise, ID @ Flipside Festival
Sun. Sept. 24 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
Mon. Sept. 25 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Wed. Sept. 27 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Fri. Sept. 29 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
CHAI — the beloved Japanese quartet composed of identical twins MANA (vocals/keys) and KANA (guitar), drummer YUNA, and bassist/lyricist YUUKI — are “professional purveyor[s] of whimsy” (The New York Times). Today, the four-piece unveils their first new single/video of 2023, “We The Female!” Following CHAI’s acclaimed 2021 album, WINK, which “exudes a newfound sense of serenity, even as they remain committed to exuberant self-love” (Pitchfork), “We The Female!” continues expanding CHAI’s canon of anthemic dance jams. The accompanying video, directed by Cezan Iseda, is a charming collage of 80s television homages.
Of “We The Female!,” YUUKI adds: “We are human and were born as female, but we have both female and male aspects in each of our souls, each with our own sense of balance. We can’t just label ourselves into clear-cut, simple categories anymore! I’m not anyone else but just ‘me,’ and you are no one else but just ‘you.’ This song celebrates that with a roar! Yooooooooo!!”
WINK followed CHAI’s beloved 2017 debut PINK, and their superb 2019 sophomore effort, PUNK. Surrounding WINK’s release, CHAI was profiled in V Magazine, The New York Times, NPR and more; it was named one of the year’s best releases by Under The Radar and Paste, who hailed: “CHAI make every moment feel like a treat.”
“WE THE FEMALE!” is a small taste of what CHAI has in store for the year.
In 2021, CHAI made their Sub Pop debut with WINK, securing their position as “a professional purveyor of whimsy” (The New York Times).
Today, CHAI is releasing the official video for “MY DREAM,” directed by Yasuaki Komatsu. The single was released internationally earlier this month, and written specifically as the theme song for the Japanese film The Fish Tale, which will see its theatrical release in Japan on September 1st, 2022.
YUUKI says, “When you’re doing something you love, in whatever way you want to, those are the times in life when you feel irresistibly great. The things you love so much that you even dream about, are the very things that shouldn’t be left just as dreams! Nothing can beat your “LOVE” for something! That’s what we felt when we saw the film, and we put all of that into this song.”
CHAI’s international tour schedule in continued support of WINK resumes Thursday, September 15th in Anaheim, CA at The Parish at House of Blues and continues through Friday, November 18th with an appearance at Mexico City’s Corona Capital. Along the way, CHAI will will also support Hippo Campus’s fall tour (Sept. 30-30th), and has scheduled festival appearances in South America for appearances at Primavera Sound’s Sao Paolo, Brazil (Nov. 6th), Santiago, Chile (Nov. 12th) and Buenos Aries, Argentina (Nov. 13th). For up to date information on tickets and new shows, please visit https://chai-band.com/en/category/live.
Thu. Sep. 15 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish at House of Blues Sat. Sep. 17 - San Diego, CA - Voodoo Room at House of Blues Sun. Sep. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Primavera Sound LA Tur. Sep 20 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo Thu. Sep. 22 - Chicago, IL - Garfield Park Observatory Sun. Sep. 25 - Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival Mon. Sep. 26 - New York, NY - (Le) Poisson Rouge Fri. Sep 30 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa* Mon. Oct. 03 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater * Tue. Oct. 04 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live * Thu. Oct. 06 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater * Sat. Oct. 08 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral * Mon. Oct. 10 - Louisville, KY - Old Forester’s Paristown Hall * Tue. Oct. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater* Thu. Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre * Fri. Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Le National * Sat. Oct. 15 - Portland, ME - State Theater * Mon. Oct. 17 - Providence, RI - The Strand * Tue. Oct. 18 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall * Thu. Oct 20 - Harrisburg, PA - XXL Live* Fri. Oct. 21 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Sat. Oct. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore* Tue. Oct. 25 - Miami, FL - North Beach Bandshell * Wed. Oct. 26 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues * Fri. Oct. 28 - St.Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live * Sat. Oct. 29 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen * Sun. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Sun. Nov. 06 - Sao Paolo, BR - Primavera Sound Sao Paulo Brazil Sat. Nov. 12 - Santiago, CL - Primavera Sound Santiago Chile Sun. Nov. 13 - Buenos Aires, AR - Primavera Sound Buenos Aires Argentina Fri. Nov. 18 - Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital * with Hippo Campus
In 2021, CHAI made their Sub Pop debut with WINK, securing their position as “a professional purveyor of whimsy” (The New York Times). Tonight, Friday, July 8th (at 8 pm PT/ 11 pm ET) they are sharing the animated, 16-bit official video for “HERO JOURNEY,” their new single and collaboration with Domino Recording Company act Superorganism.
CHAI says of the Superorganism collaboration, “We held a mutual liking and love for one another’s music and eventually were invited to open for them on their UK and Europe Tour. From recording while on the tour bus to even joining in as guests at their shows in Japan! So many memories we share! Having played around with music together in the past makes this collaboration that much more special.
“This song is all about Hero’s coming in all forms! and how amazing that is! Superorganism has reached all nationalities and ages, recognizing those differences and embracing them. The perfect fit for this song. As a post-WINK release and at a time where a new CHAI is brewing, this song is nothing but perfect. It screams Summer! So stay tuned! More CHAI to come!”
YUUKI adds, “Is the job of a “justice-seeking” HERO only to defeat “evil”? Perhaps the opposite of “justice” isn’t “evil”, but rather “another form of justice”?! Me and mine, you and yours…what each of us calls “justice”, should be able to dance amongst one other! That HERO you all see, is who CHAI wants to be. Gather all your friends you love cus’ we’re going to fly again today! It’s that type of song!”
Superorganism’s Orono offers this, “Category is drag queen superhero realness… and you bet we served it on a big, fat platter for this one. Sugary explosion of nothing but pure and refined girl bossery! Anyway so stoked that we finally got to collab with our friends… more to come 🐸”
CHAI has added new headlining dates to their international tour schedule in continued support of WINK, which now spans Thursday, September 15th through Sunday, November 18th, 2022. The new dates will include Southern California shows in Anaheim (Sep. 15th) and San Diego (Sep. 17th), as well stops in Chicago (Sep. 22nd), and in New York (Sep. 26th). The group will also support Hippo Campus’s fall tour (Oct. 3rd-30th). Additionally, the band has added an appearance at Corona Capital in Mexico City (Nov. 18th), and will head to South America for appearances at Primavera Sound’s Sao Paolo, Brazil (Nov. 6th), Santiago, Chile (Nov. 12th) and Buenos Aries, Argentina (Nov. 13th). Please find a full list of tour dates below.
Thu. Sep. 15 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish at House of Blues Sat. Sep. 17 - San Diego, CA - Voodoo Room at House of Blues Sun. Sep. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Primavera Sound LA Thu. Sep. 22 - Chicago, IL - Garfield Park Observatory Sun. Sep. 25 - Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival Mon. Sep. 26 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge Mon. Oct. 03 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater * Tue. Oct. 04 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live * Thu. Oct. 06 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater * Sat. Oct. 08 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral * Mon. Oct. 10 - Louisville, KY - Old Forester’s Paristown Hall * Tue. Oct. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater* Thu. Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre * Fri. Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Le National * Sat. Oct. 15 - Portland, ME - State Theater * Mon. Oct. 17 - Providence, RI - The Strand * Tue. Oct. 18 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall * Fri. Oct. 21 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Sat. Oct. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore* Tue. Oct. 25 - Miami, FL - North Beach Bandshell * Wed. Oct. 26 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues * Fri. Oct. 28 - St. Pertersburg, FL - Jannus Live * Sat. Oct. 29 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen * Sun. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Sun. Nov. 06 - Sao Paolo, BR - Primavera Sound Sao Paulo Brazil Thu. Nov. 10 - Santiago, CL - Mentronomonn (Primavera Sound Chile Side Show) Sat. Nov. 12 - Santiago, CL - Primavera Sound Santiago Chile Sun. Nov. 13 - Buenos Aires, AR - Primavera Sound Buenos Aires Argentina Fri. Nov. 18 - Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital * with Hippo Campus
